Wind-Back Wednesday ~ Just Breathe and Let It Go

IT'S UP TO YOU

It's so easy to let life knock the us down. There are so many petty little things that nip at our heels every day, just waiting to get a good grip and pull us backwards and sink us into a funk.

In years gone by, I'd let that happen and let it affect my mood - but now I know that it comes down to a choice - my choice. I can choose to let circumstances bother me, I can choose to let the words of another person hurt my feelings (whether the words were intentional or not), I can choose to let ignorant people have an influence on my day.....or I can choose to just breathe and let it go.

THE LITTLE THINGS

Most of the annoyances that come our way are small. Once you make your mind up not to let them bother you, they can just wash over the top and barely make a mark on your life. It's actually a good feeling when you reach a point when you can let stuff like that go and know that you beat it by not reacting to it. It's taken me a long time to reach this point, but it's a good place to be in.

THE BIGGER STUFF

Then there are the bigger things that come along in life to hurt you - the betrayal of a friend, the angry words of a family member resulting in a feud that affects everyone, awful workmates, marital problems, angry people on the road or elsewhere who make you feel threatened. These can seem insurmountable at the time, but often distance and a clear head (and a good dose of maturity and self confidence) can make all the difference and put them into perspective. After a while, even the big things often become small things when you don't give them the time and attention they crave.

CHOOSING NOT TO BE UPSET OR ANNOYED

I've watched a friend's life implode before my eyes because she has chosen to find hurt and betrayal in her marriage rather than choosing to give her husband the benefit of the doubt. She repeats the same toxic behaviour over and over again and wonders why she gets the same results. Nobody should live like that. Marriage should be a haven, not a hostile battlefield. It all comes down to choices - choose to be happy or choose to move on. Big choices, but ultimately they give better results than choosing to be miserable and cause misery to the people around you.

Richard Carlson sums it up so well in his book "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" when he says that we can't be free from life's annoyances but we can free ourselves from being annoyed by them. A few years ago I would have doubted this, I let way too many things influence my feelings - but entering the second half of life has made me realize that time is short and it's not worth wasting emotional energy on people or events that drag me down. Life is much richer when you move on, take a deep breath and focus on the good things that come our way every day.

Being miserable is a choice - so is being happy - I know which one I prefer. Every day I choose happiness because it really is the best way to live.

It all comes down to our thinking, and that is the one thing we always can control (or at least work on controlling). When I find my self annoyed by little irritants, I try to think of them a different way if "why are you even bothering to think about this?" doesn't work.

That's so true Shari - I wish we'd been taught stuff like this when we were younger. When I think of how much time I wasted being stressed or upset when it was really about my perception rather than the issue itself. I'm getting better at chilling now!

Thanks for sharing this, Leanne - In so many circumstances it really is our choice to decide how we are going to let it affect us. I have always loved Eleanor Roosevelt's words, 'No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.' So very true!

It is most definitely up to us as to how we perceive our circumstances and how much we let them affect us - especially negatively. This has been such a big lesson for me to learn but now I embrace it with both arms!

Oh, so very true. I really like the quote at the end. I've never read that book although I've heard of it. I too can let the low energy of this life drag me down at times but I also know now, that I choose that. It is up to each individual and like you said, I think age has something to do with my change of mind. ^_^

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About Me

Hi I'm Leanne, Welcome to my blog ~ Cresting the Hill ~ This is where I write about how much I’m enjoying Midlife and the empty nest. To quote Maya Angelou: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.” I’d love you to read and leave a comment – it’s a great way to connect and share the journey.

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